Power - Sweep
3* over 65 navy
CTO 11* Basketball
5-1 this year
December 20
MIAMI-OHIO over *Illinois...CTO scouts tell us Miami-Ohio fired-up to avenge LY’s 50-48 loss vs. Illinois in Chicago. Revenge works. In aftermath of disheartening come-from-ahead 78-72 OT loss vs. Arizona, Illini’s disgruntled HC Bruce Weber claims he seriously lacks a creator, and woeful foul shooting continues to be major issue (ugly 59% so far!). RedHawks possess one of the more underrated insideoutside duos around in fearless 6-5 swingman Bramos (20 ppg, 43% from arc) & 6-7 "throwback" F Pollitz (17 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 apg). And Coles’ methodical, defensively-sticky squad (just 57 ppg) is 8-1 last 9 as an underdog. Upset possible.
MIAMI-OHIO 63 - *Illinois 58 RATING - 11
Dr Bob
2 Star Selection
**Navy 33 Utah (-8.0) 32 (at Poinsettia Bowl) 06:00 PM Pacific, 20-Dec-07 I’m not sure how fired up Utah will be for this game after losing their season finale to rival BYU, and the Utes’ very good defense (4.6 yards per play allowed to teams that would combine to average 5.5 yppl against an average defense) isn’t so great defending the run, which is what they’ll have to do in this game. Utah allowed a mediocre 4.8 yards per rushing play this season to teams that would average 4.8 yprp against an average team and they allowed the Air Force option to ramble for 344 ground yards at 5.6 yprp in an early season loss. Navy has averaged 358 yards at 5.9 yprp on the ground this season and the running portion of their option attack should be as good as always in this game. Utah is amongst the best in the nation at defending the pass (4.4 yards per pass play allowed to teams that would average 6.4 yppp) but that does them little good against the Midshipmen.
Scott Spreitzer
Take Navy
I'm taking the points with Navy in Thursday's Poinsettia Bowl. You'll hear a lot about Navy's secondary this week when talking heads analyze this game. But Utah QB Brian Johnson is banged-up and has not had a lot of serious reps in preparation. His backup, Tommy Grady, is no great shakes. I saw Utah in person, when they were shutout by UNLV, 27-0. Johnson wasn't 100-percent healthy and only played about half the game. Grady was downright horrible. The problem for Utah in this one is to get re-focused after the heartbreaking defeat in the "Holy War" to BYU. Word is, the Utes aren't exactly crazy about playing in this minor bowl game. Meanwhile, it's basically a home game away from home for the Midshipmen. There will be at least 20-thousand middies in the stands for this one. New HC Ken Niumatalolo has been the offensive coordinator for several seasons at Navy, which means there will be NO changes in preparation or in the game itself. The Midshipmen may miss the direction of Paul Johnson next season and in seasons to come, but this is a tough bunch with key coaches still on the sideline. Navy, as most service academies tend to be, will not only be sky high for this chance, but will also be very well prepared for the Utah game plan. I expect huge numbers from Navy's offense. Although Utah sees the Air Force option each season in MWC play, it's been a long time since they've seen it run this well, or this variation, for that matter. By the way, Utah lost to AFA earlier this season, and I believe they'll drop another to a service academy on Thursday. Navy, plus points in the Poinsettia Bowl. Thanks! GL! Scott
MARC LAWRENCE'S CFB EARLY BOWL PHONE
3* Navy +8
Wild Bill
Under 65 1/2 Utah-Navy (1 unit) Utah very good Bowl record vs club with new HC. Defense for Utes will be difference
SharkHandicapping
NCAA Football Poinsettia Bowl Navy vs. Utah
Play On: Utah -7½
First off we have waited on this release as the line continues to drop and is now 7 ? everywhere. We can wait a little longer on playing this one and if the line starts to creep back up, grab it then. We might even get a 7 out of it. These teams enter with the same records of 8 ? 4 but we like the 8 Utah wins lot better then Navy?s 8 wins. Utah had won 8 in row before losing their final game 10 ? 17 on the road at Utah and there is no shame in that. Before that they did some damage beating Wyoming 50 ? 0, UCLA 44 ? 7, TCU 27 ? 20, Colorado State 27 ? 3. Navy is well documented and as they rush for over 350 yards a game but their defense does not stop anyone. They allowed N. Illinois to put up 24, N. Texas 62, Notre Dame 44, Delaware 52 in a non lined game and Duke put up 43 points. Navy tries to outscore teams but they won?t be able to outscore Utah and very good Utah defense should make enough defensive stops to put this comfortable away. Take Utah
ANDY ISKOE
3 Star Navy over Utah
Jack Clayton 5-Star Blowout: Steelers/Rams!
5* Steelers at Rams: The Rams actually played the Packers relatively even, despite the final one-sided score. This is a healthy Rams team from earlier in the season, at 3-3 SU, 4-2 ATS the last 6 games. Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has an aggressive, high-risk attacking defense which has been successful in the second half of the season. They face a more conservative Pittsburgh offense that is in a rut. They managed just 16 points and 263 yards in an overtime loss to the NY Jets, gained 216 yards in a 3-0 win against the Dolphins, then got shut down by the Patriots and Jaguars. In fact, Jacksonville outgained the Steelers 421-217 Sunday! The Steelers are just 2-4 SU/ATS on the road allowing 20 ppg. An excellent spot for the big home dog. Play the Rams!
EZ Winners
One play for Thursday.....
5 STAR: (709) PITTSBURGH (+5.5) over Duke
Vegas-Runner | NFL Total
double-dime bet 302 STL / 301 PIT Under 44.0
** 2* NFL TOTAL WAGER **
Sports Gambling Hotline
Navy vs. UTAH (-7') - Poinsettia Bowl, at San Diego
Another comp winner last night on the Orlando Magic outright. Now 28-16 the last 44 days for free!
First Bowl game of the holiday season, and the first OVER of the holiday season!
Navy didn't do a very good job this season in stopping teams, as they allowed 34-points or more in 8 of their 12 games this season. The Middies were able to put up 30-points or better in 10 of their 12 games this season, and scored no less than 35-points in any of their last 5 games - closing with a 4-game winning streak.
We see no reason to buck the Naval Academy's trend of scoring a ton and giving up a ton in this game, even with former head coach Paul Johnson moving on to take the Georgia Tech head coaching job.
Utah's offensive numbers weren't as gaudy as the Midshipmen, and the Utes defense was much more stingy than that of the Middies, but with this being the first bowl game of the season, we believe the schools will let it all hang out, and this game will easily eclipse the posted price.
Play on Navy and Utah to sail OVER the total in San Diego tonight.
5* OVER
CAPPERS ACCESS
NFL Steelers Rams 7- ......Pick: Rams
CFB Utah Navy 7- ...........Pick: Navy
Arthur Ralph Superpick
Cal-St Fullerton
Arthur Ralph Regular Daily Play
Navy (CFB)
LAS VEGAS TECH REPORT (LVTR): PITTSBURGH STEELERS vs SAINT LOUIS RAMS
Play: PITTSBURGH STEELERS -7 ( BUY HOOK IF NEEDED)
Comments: LAS VEGAS TECH REPORT (LVTR) SELECTION: PITTSBURGH STEELERS -7 ( BUY HOOK IF NEEDED) We are being very line specific in this selection. You may need to pay a little more as we are purchasing into a key number but will be well worth the insurance poilicy. WRITEUP TO FOLLOW SOON
LAS VEGAS TECH REPORT (LVTR): NAVY vs UTAH
Play: NAVY +8
Comments: LAS VEGAS TECH REPORT (LVTR) SELECTION: NAVY +8